Reel Time Fishing Northwest
Mark Yuasa covers fishing and outdoors in the Pacific Northwest. A Seattle native, Mark is a lifelong angler who grew up near the banks of Lake Washington, and has been covering fishing and outdoors for more than 19 years for The Seattle Times. Read his regular fishing report every Thursday, and the outdoor notebook every Sunday.
SubscribeFirst day of the Roche Harbor Salmon Derby generates good fishing and excellent weather
![6815384665_49a9e9b93a[1].jpg](http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/reeltimenorthwest/6815384665_49a9e9b93a%5B1%5D.jpg)
Under sunny skies and prime water conditions 85 boats with 293 participated in the Roche Harbor Salmon Classic Invitational on San Juan Island, and weighed-in 55 fish.
The top fish after the first day was caught by Jason King of Bellingham in Boat 54 and the hatchery chinook weighed 16.6 pounds. If his fish stays on top it will earn him $10,000.
King just edged out Brian Dennis of Lake Tapps who brought in a 16.2 pound hatchery chinook. The third place fish weighed 14.2 pounds.
"That number of fish was tied for the third highest number caught on the first day of the fishery," said Tim Flint, a representative for the Northwest Marine Trade Association who runs the 14-derby series. "There have been no real big fish caught yet, but we still have one more day to go."
Flint heard most of the fish caught came from the northern region of the island chain, and often the hot spots are off the northern side of Orcas Island.
The derby's final is Saturday.
For more information visit the Northwest Salmon Derby Series website.
(Photo provided by the Roche Harbor Marina)
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